Cycling within the law

By Cycling UK
Most people riding cycles, like most other road users, behave responsibly and legally when using the road. But, to help you make certain you are riding within the law, here’s a guide to the rules you must follow

The great thing about cycling is that anyone is free to ride on the road as a form of transport – you don’t need to hold a licence or pass a test (cycling should never be regulated in this way). 

However, it’s important to know how to cycle legally on the road before setting out so this briefing helps you know what you must or must not do when cycling. 

Our article What’s legal – and what’s not – on your bike? provides more details and information on the advisory elements of the Highway Code. 

Our briefing on Sharing space with pedestrians is also good to read and covers rules including, riding on pavements, on shared use paths and junction priority. 

Cycling UK believes that people who use cycles should, like all road users, behave responsibly and within the law. Principally, this means:

  • making their intentions clear
  • ensuring they are competent to ride in traffic
  • being aware of motorists’ intentions
  • obeying traffic signals, signs and markings
  • ensuring that they are visible at night
  • maintaining their cycle so as not to cause a danger to themselves or others.

Highway Code

It’s good to have a read and understood the Highway Code (HC) before riding on the roads so that you know the rules which apply to cycling but also so that you can understand how other road users will behave. 

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to clarify rules which better protect vulnerable road users – this came following years of campaigning by Cycling UK. 

Note: the Highway Code for Northern Ireland has not yet been updated in the same way.

In the HC any rule which is a legal requirement is expressed as something you ‘must’ or ‘must not’ do – breaching these is a criminal offence. The rules and laws set out below are all mandatory for cyclists.

Rules applying to bikes

Fitting and using bike lights

​Cycles must be fitted with approved white front and rear red lights, lit, clean and working properly, when being ridden between sunset and sunrise. Lights and reflectors (below) are covered by HC rule 60. 

Watch our video on legal requirements for bike lights for more guidance on lights.

Reflectors

If riding between sunset and sunrise, pedal cycles must be fitted with a red rear reflector and four amber pedal reflectors. The latter can be problematic as not all pedals are fitted with reflectors.

Brakes 

This one might feel obvious, but when ridden on the road pedal cycles must be fitted with brakes for the front and rear wheels and must operate independently. A fixed wheel bike (fixie) is road legal if it has a working brake for the front wheel. 

E-bikes

Rules exist for e-bikes, which in law can only be ridden by people aged 14 or over.  E-bikes which you can ride on the road without a licence, defined as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPC), are limited to 15.5mph and the motor provides additional power when pedalling (pedal assist) rather than with a throttle. Our guide – Is your e-bike legal? provides more information.

Rules for responsible cycling

Where you can and cannot cycle

Cycling on a pavement is illegal, and cycling in pedestrian areas may also be prohibited – check local signs to be sure. See more in our briefing on Sharing space with pedestrians which outlines why it’s important to cycle with care and consideration around pedestrians. 

Traffic signs and red lights

All drivers and people “propelling a vehicle” must obey traffic signs and automated traffic signals. (Cycles are vehicles in law). 

Passengers

Carrying passengers is not legal unless your cycle has been built or fitted to carry one – sorry no ‘backies’ – and is covered by HC rule 68. Transporting children in bike seats or trailers is one of the common exceptions. 

Irresponsible riding

Rule 68 also stipulates that you MUST NOT ‘ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner’ or ‘hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer’. 

The former behaviour above could encompass a multitude of sins – for example there are no legal speed limits when cycling but cyclists can be prosecuted, e.g. for careless cycling if travelling at an ‘excessive’ speed. 

When cycling, it is always important, for your safety and the safety of those around you, to cycle carefully and considerately. 

Drink/drugs

There is no alcohol/drug limit for cyclists, but cycling ‘under the influence’ of drink or a drug is an offence, the test being whether or not a cyclist is fit to ride.

Other cycling offences

Where there is no law, regulation or local by-law prohibiting cyclists from doing something specifically, they can still be prosecuted for:

Note: the links above go to legislation for England, Wales and Scotland, but similar legislation applies in Northern Ireland.

Also, if someone is evidently riding irresponsibly, they can be penalised for anti-social behaviour; and, in England and Wales, councils can use Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to prohibit or restrict certain activities, including cycling, with infringements attracting a fine (unfortunately, Cycling UK has had to take issue with some PSPOs).  

In the rarest of situations, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, cyclists may be prosecuted for 'Wanton or furious driving’ (because it applies to people in charge of ‘carriages’, which include cycles thanks to the judgement in the case of Taylor v Goodwin 1879).

In Scotland the common law crime of ‘culpable and reckless conduct’ can be used to prosecute cyclists who cause serious injury, while those who cause death can be prosecuted for ‘culpable homicide’.

For much more detail on legislation applicable to cycles and cyclists, see: What’s legal – and what’s not – on your bike

Traffic law Road safety Legal Safer vehicles

Further reading